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OKC Thunder on historic offensive run

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER — To this point of the season, the Thunder is averaging a league-best 106.2 points per game, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from 3-point range and 83.7 percent from the free throw line. No team has ever matched those numbers.

It's the Oklahoma City Thunder's offense, which is stringing together a season unlike any other seen in NBA history.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) works against Los Angeles' Metta World Peace (15) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Through 20 games, the Thunder is averaging a league-best 106.2 points while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from behind the 3-point line and 83.7 percent from the free throw line.

No team has ever finished a season averaging at least 100 points on at least 49 percent shooting, 42 percent shooting from 3-point range and 83 percent shooting from the foul line, according to basketball-reference.com.

That output has helped establish the Thunder as the league's best offensive team while also confirming once and for all that life does indeed go on without James Harden.

The Thunder has sprinted out of the gate with a 16-4 record largely because of its high-octane offensive attack. Oklahoma City has scored at least 100 points in 11 straight games and is winning by an average margin of 9.5 points per game, a scoring differential that would be the league's highest since Boston won the title in 2008 after outscoring opponents by an average of 10.3 points.

Equally impressive is the Thunder's offensive efficiency, or points scored per 100 possessions. The Thunder through Friday ranked second with an Oklahoma City-era best 111.1 points per 100 possessions, just 0.1 points behind league leader New York.

When searching for what gives with the offense, the answer begins with maturity.

“I think it's the growth of our players,” said Nick Collison. “Our guys are making better decisions. We're not having those long stretches where we don't get good shots like we used to have at times. I just think it's a maturity and growth of our team.”

Of course, several other factors must be taken into account, starting with Kevin Durant.

Durant is on pace to become only the sixth player to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line and 90 percent from the foul line. His scoring efficiency has been the backbone of the Thunder's record offense.

Russell Westbrook, though, can't be ignored.

The Thunder's point guard has drawn more defensive attention than he ever has as a scorer but is playing with the most balance of his career by creating more shots for others. By getting more players involved, as well as taking better care of the ball this season, Westbrook has given the Thunder's offense more opportunities to shine. Westbrook's turnover ratio, for example, or the percentage of possessions that end in a turnover, currently is at a career low 10.5 percent this season.

Meanwhile, Westbrook is averaging a career-best 8.7 assists, which has had a trickle down effect that is impossible to overlook. The Thunder is now averaging 22.6 assists after netting a league-worst 18.5 last year, and many of Westbrook's passes are leading to high-percentage shots for his teammates.

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by Darnell Mayberry

OKC Thunder Senior Reporter

Darnell Mayberry grew up in Langston, Okla. and is now in his third stint in the Sooner state. After a year and a half at Bishop McGuinness High, he finished his prep years in Falls Church, Va., before graduating from Norfolk State University in...